Light Sensor Elements Overlie Active Switching Elements In Integrated Circuit (e.g., Where The Sensor Elements Are Deposited On An Integrated Circuit) Patents (Class 257/444)
  • Patent number: 8816457
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an image sensor device. An exemplary image sensor device includes an image sensing region disposed in a substrate; a multilayer interconnection structure disposed over the substrate; and a color filter formed in the multilayer interconnection structure and aligned with the image sensing region. The color filter has a length and a width, where the length is greater than the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jyh-Ming Hung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung, Chun-Chieh Chuang
  • Patent number: 8809924
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a read-out portion. The photoelectric conversion elements are arranged above a substrate. The read-out portion reads out signal corresponding to charges which are generated from each of the photoelectric conversion elements. Each of the photoelectric conversion elements includes a first electrode that collects the charge, a second electrode that is disposed opposite to the first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer that generates the charges and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electron blocking layer that is disposed between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer. Distance between the first electrodes of adjacent photoelectric conversion elements is 250 nm or smaller. Each of the electron blocking layers has a change in surface potential of ?1 to 3 eV from a first face to a second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Suzuki, Kiyohiko Tsutsumi
  • Publication number: 20140225214
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an improved image sensor comprises an array of germanium photosensitive elements integrated with a silicon substrate and integrated with silicon readout circuits. The silicon transistors are formed first on a silicon substrate, using well known silicon wafer fabrication techniques. The germanium elements are subsequently formed overlying the silicon by epitaxial growth. The germanium elements are advantageously grown within surface openings of a dielectric cladding. Wafer fabrication techniques are applied to the elements to form isolated germanium photodiodes. Since temperatures needed for germanium processing are lower than those for silicon processing, the formation of the germanium devices need not affect the previously formed silicon devices. Insulating and metallic layers are then deposited and patterned to interconnect the silicon devices and to connect the germanium devices to the silicon circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Infrared Newco, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford A. King, Conor S. Rafferty
  • Patent number: 8803067
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device is described that includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of photodiodes thereon. The solid state imaging device further includes a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion and a third wiring portion. The device further includes a first wiring layer over the semiconductor substrate and which includes a plurality of metal films and extends across all the wiring portions. Additionally, a second wiring layer is disposed over the first wiring layer and which extends across the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kyohei Mizuta, Kazuichiro Itonaga
  • Patent number: 8803210
    Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a substrate; a gate line that is extended in a first direction on the substrate; a gate electrode that is extended from the gate line; a semiconductor layer that is positioned on the gate electrode; a source electrode and drain electrode that are positioned on the semiconductor layer; a lower electrode that is extended from the drain electrode; a photodiode that is positioned on the lower electrode; a first insulation layer that is positioned on the source electrode and the drain electrode and that includes a first opening that exposes the source electrode; and a data line that is extended in a second direction intersecting a first direction on the first insulation layer to intersect the gate line with the first insulation layer interposed between the data line and the gate line, and the data line being electrically connected to the source electrode through the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwan-Wook Jung, Dong-Hyuk Kim, Woo-Jae Lim, Jea-Eun Ryu
  • Patent number: 8796804
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate and a metallization layer over the substrate. The metallization layer includes a dielectric layer and metal lines in the dielectric layer. The integrated circuit structure further includes a sensing element over the metallization layer. The sensing element may be formed in passivation layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Chun Liu, Kuan-Chieh Huang, Chin-Min Lin, Ken Wen-Chien Fu, Mingo Lin
  • Patent number: 8791541
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a backside illuminated image sensor that includes providing a device substrate having a frontside and a backside, where pixels are formed at the frontside and an interconnect structure is formed over pixels, forming a re-distribution layer (RDL) over the interconnect structure, bonding a first glass substrate to the RDL, thinning and processing the device substrate from the backside, bonding a second glass substrate to the backside, removing the first glass substrate, and reusing the first glass substrate for fabricating another backside-illuminated image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Huang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Chih-Jen Wu, Chen-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 8754424
    Abstract: Discontinuous bonds for semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first substrate and a second substrate, with at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate having a plurality of solid-state transducers. The second substrate can include a plurality of projections and a plurality of intermediate regions and can be bonded to the first substrate with a discontinuous bond. Individual solid-state transducers can be disposed at least partially within corresponding intermediate regions and the discontinuous bond can include bonding material bonding the individual solid-state transducers to blind ends of corresponding intermediate regions. Associated methods and systems of discontinuous bonds for semiconductor devices are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Schellhammer, Vladimir Odnoblyudov, Jeremy S. Frei
  • Patent number: 8754413
    Abstract: An X-ray detection device includes a gate electrode and a lower electrode on a substrate and laterally spaced from each other, a dielectric layer covering the gate electrode and the lower electrode, and a conductive pattern on the dielectric layer at a side of the gate electrode adjacent to the lower electrode and overlapping the lower electrode. The device also includes a source electrode spaced apart from the conductive pattern that is on the dielectric layer at the other side of the gate electrode, and an interlayer insulation layer covering the conductive pattern and the source electrode. A collector electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a bias electrode are sequentially stacked on the interlayer insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8749010
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an infrared imaging device includes a substrate, a detecting section, an interconnection, a contact plug and a support beam. The detecting section is provided above the substrate and includes an infrared absorbing section and a thermoelectric converting section. The interconnection is provided on an interconnection region of the substrate and is configured to read the electrical signal. The contact plug is extends from the interconnection toward a connecting layer provided in the interconnection region. The contact plug is electrically connected to the interconnection and the connecting layer. The support beam includes a support beam interconnection and supports the detecting section above the substrate. The support beam interconnection transmits the electrical signal from the thermoelectric converting section to the interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ikuo Fujiwara, Hitoshi Yagi, Keita Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8716712
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve the accuracy of light detection in a photosensor, and to increase the light-receiving area of the photosensor. The photosensor includes: a light-receiving element which converts light into an electric signal; a first transistor which transfers the electric signal; and a second transistor which amplifies the electric signal. The light-receiving element includes a silicon semiconductor, and the first transistor includes an oxide semiconductor. The light-receiving element is a lateral-junction photodiode, and an n-region or a p-region included in the light-receiving element overlaps with the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Kozuma, Yoshiyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8710611
    Abstract: A sensing device is used to detect the spatial distributions of stresses applied by physical contact with the surface of the sensor or induced by pressure, temperature gradients, and surface absorption. The sensor comprises a hybrid active layer that includes luminophores doped in a polymeric or organic host, altogether embedded in a matrix. Under an electrical bias, the sensor simultaneously converts stresses into electrical and optical signals. Among many applications, the device may be used for tactile sensing and biometric imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventor: Xian-An Cao
  • Patent number: 8709878
    Abstract: A method of packaging imager devices and optics modules is disclosed which includes positioning an imager device and an optics module in each of a plurality of openings in a carrier body, introducing an encapsulant material into each of the openings in the carrier body and cutting the carrier body to singulate the plurality of imager devices and optics modules into individual units, each of which comprise an imager device and an optics module. A device is also disclosed which includes an imager device comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements and an optics module coupled to the imager device, the optics module comprising at least one lens that, when the optics module is coupled to the imager device, is positioned a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the plurality of photosensitive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Bolken, Scott Willmorth, Bradley Bitz
  • Patent number: 8710559
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a transfer gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion unit including an electric charge storage area that is formed from a surface side of the semiconductor substrate in a depth direction, a transfer auxiliary area formed of a second conductive type impurity area that is formed in such a manner as to partially overlap the transfer gate electrode, and a dark current suppression area that is a first dark current suppression area formed in an upper layer of the transfer auxiliary and formed so as to have positional alignment in such a manner that the end portion of the transfer auxiliary area on the transfer gate electrode side is at the same position as the end portion of the transfer auxiliary area; and a signal processing circuit configured to process an output signal output from the solid-state imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mikiko Kobayashi, Sanghoon Ha
  • Patent number: 8704324
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device including a semiconductor layer comprising a plurality of photodiodes, a first antireflection film located over a first surface of the semiconductor layer, a second antireflection film located over the first antireflection film, a light shielding layer having side surfaces which are adjacent to at least one of first and the second antireflection film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Hiyama, Kazufumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8704926
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor allows for selectively outputting one of two vertical resolutions, e.g. 1080 to 720 lines. The scan conversion is implemented completely on the image sensor chip by using smaller sub-pixel cores, which can be electrically combined via switch transistors. A basic circuit of the CMOS image sensor has a number of pixel cells arranged in lines and columns. Each pixel cell has a photosensitive element that converts impinging light into electric charge and a first transfer element. The first transfer elements of m pixel cells arranged consecutively in the same column are arranged for transferring the charge generated in the respective m photosensitive elements during exposure to a single first charge storage element provided for the respective group of m pixel cells. In an exemplary embodiment the switching scheme allows for combining the signal information of either two or three vertically adjacent sub-pixel cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Heinrich Schemmann, Petrus Gijsbertus Maria Centen, Sabine Roth, Boon Keng Teng
  • Patent number: 8698208
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device comprises a first step of forming a gate electrode, a second step of forming a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a third step of forming an insulation film, and a fourth step of forming a protection region of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite conductivity type to the first conductivity type, by implanting ions in the semiconductor region using the gate electrode of the transfer transistor and a portion covering a side face of the gate electrode of the transfer transistor of the insulation film as a mask in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode of the transfer transistor are covered by the insulation film, and causing a portion of the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type from which the protection region is removed to be the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi Mishima, Mineo Shimotsusa, Hiroaki Naruse
  • Patent number: 8698061
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array with a plurality of pixels. A pixel includes a photodiode, a first transfer gate, a storage gate, and a second transfer gate. The first transfer gate is controllable to transfer charge from the photodiode to under the storage gate. The storage gate is connected to a readout circuit to allow the readout circuit to read out a voltage level of a potential at the storage gate. The second transfer gate is controllable to transfer charge from under the storage gate. A method includes controlling the first transfer gate to transfer charge from the photodiode to under the storage gate, reading out a voltage level of a potential at the storage gate using the readout circuit that is connected to the storage gate, and controlling the second transfer gate to drain charge from under the storage gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Luxima Technology LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Krymski
  • Publication number: 20140084408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a carrier substrate having at least one conductor track, at least one converter element structured at least partly from a further semiconductor substrate, and conductive structures formed on a respective converter element. The at least one converter element is electrically linked to the at least one conductor track via at least one at least partly conductive supporting element arranged between a contact side of the carrier substrate and an inner side of the converter element. The inner side is oriented toward the carrier substrate. The at least one converter element is arranged on the contact side of the carrier substrate such that the inner side of the converter element is kept spaced apart from the contact side of the carrier substrate. The at least one converter element and the conductive structures formed thereon are completely embedded into at least one insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Bischopink, Silvia Kronmueller, Christoph Schelling
  • Patent number: 8673674
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method of fabricating the same is provided. Semiconductor layers of driving transistors located in two adjacent pixels included in the OLED display device may extend in different lengthwise directions. Thus, striped stains of the OLED display device can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Ro Lee, Sang-Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8664739
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an improved image sensor includes an array of germanium photosensitive elements integrated with a silicon substrate and integrated with silicon readout circuits. The silicon transistors are formed first on a silicon substrate, using well known silicon wafer fabrication techniques. The germanium elements are subsequently formed overlying the silicon by epitaxial growth. The germanium elements are advantageously grown within surface openings of a dielectric cladding. Wafer fabrication techniques are applied to the elements to form isolated germanium photodiodes. Since temperatures needed for germanium processing are lower than those for silicon processing, the formation of the germanium devices need not affect the previously formed silicon devices. Insulating and metallic layers are then deposited and patterned to interconnect the silicon devices and to connect the germanium devices to the silicon circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Infrared Newco, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford A. King, Conor S. Rafferty
  • Patent number: 8659061
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a solid-state image capturing element of an embodiment has: a semiconductor substrate; a photodiode formed on the semiconductor substrate; a capacitor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second electrode layer which are stacked in sequence; a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a floating gate and a control gate; and a first electrode portion electrically connecting the second electrode layer and an n-type diffusion layer or a p-type diffusion layer constituting the photodiode. Further, the first electrode layer of the capacitor is constituted by the floating gate of the transistor, and the second electrode layer of the capacitor and the control gate of the transistor are discontinuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keisuke Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 8648288
    Abstract: Pixels, imagers and related fabrication methods are described. The described methods result in cross-talk reduction in imagers and related devices by generating depletion regions. The devices can also be used with electronic circuits for imaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Bedabrata Pain, Thomas J Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8642939
    Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor module 1 at least includes a semiconductor image sensor chip 2 having a transistor forming region on a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate and having a photoelectric conversion region with a light incident surface formed on a second main surface on the side opposite to the first main surface and an image signal processing chip 3 for processing image signals formed in the semiconductor image sensor chip 2, wherein a plurality of bump electrodes 15a are formed on a first main surface, a plurality of bump electrodes 15b are formed on the image signal processing chip 3, both the chips 2 and 3 are formed to be laminated through heat dissipating means 4 and the plurality of bump electrodes 15a of the semiconductor image sensor chip 2 and the plurality of bump electrodes 15b on the image signal processing chip 3 are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuo Yoshihara, Masamitsu Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8637860
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising a transparent electrically conductive film, a photoelectric conversion film and an electrically conductive film in this order, wherein the photoelectric conversion film comprises a photoelectric conversion layer, and an electron blocking layer, wherein the electron blocking layer contains a compound represented by the specific formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kimiatsu Nomura, Eiji Fukuzaki, Tetsuro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 8633440
    Abstract: Demultiplexing systems and methods are discussed which may be small and accurate without moving parts. In some cases, demultiplexing embodiments may include optical filter cavities that include filter baffles and support baffles which may be configured to minimize stray light signal detection and crosstalk. Some of the demultiplexing assembly embodiments may also be configured to efficiently detect U.V. light signals and at least partially compensate for variations in detector responsivity as a function of light signal wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventor: Jamie Knapp
  • Patent number: 8629484
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor region of a second conductivity type which is formed on a face side of a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion element which has an impurity region of a first conductivity type and which is operable to generate electric charge according to the amount of incident light and to accumulate the electric charge in the inside thereof; an electric-charge holding region which has an impurity region of the first conductivity type and in which the electric charge generated through photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is held until read out; an intermediate transfer path through which only the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element during an exposure period and being in excess of a predetermined electric charge amount is transferred into the electric-charge holding region; and an impurity layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ohri, Takashi Machida, Takahiro Kawamura, Yasunori Sogoh
  • Patent number: 8624294
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing optical power to a semiconductor chip. An active semiconductor layer of the semiconductor chip is disposed toward a front side of the semiconductor chip. The active semiconductor layer comprises one or more integrated circuit devices. A photovoltaic semiconductor layer of the semiconductor chip is disposed between the active semiconductor layer and a back side of the semiconductor chip. The back side of the semiconductor chip is opposite the front side of the semiconductor chip. The photovoltaic semiconductor layer converts electromagnetic radiation to electric power. One or more conductive pathways between the photovoltaic semiconductor layer and the active semiconductor layer provide the electric power from the photovoltaic semiconductor layer to the one or more integrated circuit devices of the active semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Eric V. Kline
  • Patent number: 8604581
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device has a photoelectric conversion element that converts light incident from a first surface of a substrate into a signal charge and accumulates the signal charge, a transistor that is formed on a second surface side opposite to the first surface of the substrate and reads out the signal charge accumulated by the photoelectric conversion element, a supporting substrate stuck to the second surface of the substrate, and an antireflection coating formed on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the first surface of the substrate includes a curved surface or an inclined surface forming a prescribed angle to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Risako Ueno, Hideyuki Funaki, Yoshinori Iida, Hiroto Honda
  • Patent number: 8592933
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device has a high S/N ratio and can increase the detection efficiency even under a low luminance. The photoelectric conversion device generates an increased electric charge by impact ionization in a photoelectric conversion unit formed from a chalcopyrite type semiconductor, so as to improve dark current characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Rohm Co., Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenichi Miyazaki, Osamu Matsushima, Shigeru Niki, Keiichiro Sakurai, Shogo Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8552483
    Abstract: In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein. and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer. wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Suzuki, Keiji Mabuchi, Tomonori Mori
  • Patent number: 8552519
    Abstract: In order to collect a plurality of semiconductor elements easily from a semiconductor module where a plurality of rod-like semiconductor elements for power generation or light emission are built in and to reuse or repair them, two split modules 61 are arranged in series in a containing case 62 in a semiconductor module 60. In each split module 61, power generating semiconductor elements 1 arranged in a matrix of a plurality of rows and columns, and a conductive connection mechanism for connecting the plurality of semiconductor elements 1 in each row in series and the plurality of semiconductor elements 1 in each column in parallel are molded with transparent synthetic resin, and a connection conductor 67 is allowed to project at the end. A conductive waved spring 70 and an external terminal 76 are provided on the end side of the containing case 62, and series connection of the two split modules 61 is ensured by mechanical pressing force of the conductive waved spring 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kyosemi Corporation
    Inventor: Josuke Nakata
  • Patent number: 8536673
    Abstract: Provided is a light receiving circuit for detecting a change in amount of light, in which an input circuit at a subsequent stage is compact and inexpensive and current consumption is low. The light receiving circuit includes: a photoelectric conversion element for supplying a current corresponding to an amount of incident light; an N-channel MOS transistor including a drain supplied with the current from the photoelectric conversion element; and a control circuit for controlling a gate voltage of the NMOS transistor via a low pass filter so that a drain voltage of the N-channel MOS transistor becomes a desired voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Fumiyasu Utsunomiya, Taro Yamasaki, Isamu Fujii
  • Patent number: 8530820
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of substrates stacked via a wiring layer or an insulation layer; a light sensing section that is formed in a substrate, of the plurality of substrates, disposed on a light incident side and that generates a signal charge in accordance with an amount of received light; and a contact portion that is connected to a non-light incident-surface side of the substrate in which the light sensing section is formed and that supplies a desired voltage to the substrate from a wire in a wiring layer disposed on a non-light incident side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Matsunuma
  • Patent number: 8530264
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imagers for backside illumination are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may include forming at a front side of a substrate a plurality of high aspect ratio trenches having a predetermined trench depth, and forming at the front side of the substrate a plurality of photodiodes, where each photodiode is adjacent at least one trench. The method may further include forming an oxide layer on inner walls of each trench, removing the oxide layer, filling each trench with a highly doped material, and thinning the substrate from a back side opposite the front side to a predetermined final substrate thickness. In some embodiments, the substrate may have a predetermined doping profile, such as a graded doping profile, that provides a built-in electric field suitable to guide the flow of photogenerated minority carriers towards the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Koen De Munck, Kiki Minoglou, Joeri De Vos
  • Patent number: 8530992
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent
  • Patent number: 8530991
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent
  • Patent number: 8525287
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent
  • Patent number: 8525241
    Abstract: An image sensor having a pixel array comprises periphery elements formed over a substrate, an oxide layer formed over the periphery elements, an epitaxial layer formed in an opening in the oxide layer in a pixel array area, and a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array formed in the epitaxial layer. Formation of an initial metallization layer occurs after the formation of the photosensitive elements in the epitaxial layer. The photosensitive elements can thus be formed in the epitaxial layer at a higher level within an image sensor stack than that of the initial metallization layer. This advantageously allows stack height and pixel size to be reduced, and fill factor to be increased. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Omni Vision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shenlin Chen
  • Patent number: 8519460
    Abstract: In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein, and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer. Wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Suzuki, Keiji Mabuchi, Tomonori Mori
  • Patent number: 8519456
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device in which electric charges accumulated in a photodiode conversion element are transferred to a second diffusion layer through a first diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Masagaki, Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8508012
    Abstract: An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Chak Ahn
  • Patent number: 8508014
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a solid-state image sensor having a plurality of pixels includes a plurality of lower electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, an upper electrode, a wiring portion and a plurality of connection portions. The plurality of lower electrodes respectively corresponds to the plurality of pixels. The photoelectric conversion layer is stacked on the lower electrodes. The upper electrode is stacked on the photoelectric conversion layer. The wiring portion supplies, to the upper electrode, a voltage to generate an electric field between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. The plurality of connection portions connects the wiring portion and the upper electrode. The plurality of connection portions are disposed in a circumference region which is a region other than a sensor region in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged. The plurality of connection portions is disposed in a symmetrical arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Takata
  • Patent number: 8482093
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent
  • Patent number: 8476102
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid state image pickup device including a first active region provided with a first conversion unit, a second active region provided with a second conversion unit, and a third active region adjoining the first and the second active regions with a field region therebetween and being provided with a pixel transistor, the method including the steps of ion-implanting first conductivity type impurity ions to form a semiconductor region serving as a potential barrier against the signal carriers at a predetermined depth in the third active region and ion-implanting second conductivity type impurity ions into the third active region with energy lower than the above-described ion-implantation energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Takada, Toru Koizumi, Yasuo Yamazaki, Tatsuya Ryoki
  • Patent number: 8476727
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent
  • Patent number: 8471317
    Abstract: In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein, and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer, wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Suzuki, Keiji Mabuchi, Tomonori Mori
  • Patent number: 8455971
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor device and a method of forming the image sensor device. In an example, an image sensor device includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a sensor element disposed at the front surface of the substrate, the sensor element being operable to sense radiation projected toward the back surface of the substrate; and a transparent conductive layer disposed over the back surface of the substrate, the transparent conductive layer at least partially overlying the sensor element. The transparent conductive layer is configured for being electrically coupled to a bottom portion of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Szu-Ying Chen, Pao-Tung Chen, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8445827
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device is described that includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of photodiodes thereon. The solid state imaging device further includes a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion and a third wiring portion. The device further includes a first wiring layer over the semiconductor substrate and which includes a plurality of metal films and extends across all the wiring portions. Additionally, a second wiring layer is disposed over the first wiring layer and which extends across the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kyohei Mizuta, Kazuichiro Itonaga
  • Patent number: 8441090
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent